Luke Bracey Linked to 50 Shades Role

Australian actor Luke Bracey has been linked to the role of kinky billionaire Christian in "Fifty Shades Of Grey." Actor Charlie Hunman, best known for "Sons of Anarchy" and "Pacific Rim," has pulled out of the lead, just three weeks before principal photography was set to begin.

Hunman cited a scheduling conflict with his TV role for his departure, though some say he might have pulled out do to the sort of rabid fan disapproval his casting ignited, reminiscent of the sort of backlash Ben Affleck received after it was announced that he would play Batman in the upcoming "Man of Steel" sequel.

Luke Bracey, born April 26, 1989, is best known for his role on "Home and Away" as Trey Palmer. He also appeared in the 2011 film "Monte Carlo" alongside Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Kate Cassidy and Pierre Boulanger. Bracey has also signed on to play the lead in the ABC drama pilot "Westside," produced by McG.

Bracey joins NYC-based Billy Magnussen, best known for his role on the CBS soap opera "As The World Turns," as the latest actors to be called in for a 50 Shades screen test. Other actors up for the role include Francois Arnaud, Jamie Dornan, Christian Cooke and "True Blood's" Alexander Skarsgard.

Universal Pictures and Focus Features have confirmed that Dakota Johnson, 24, is still committed to playing the lead role of Anastasia Steele. Johnson, daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, has said she's ready to move forward without Hunman as Christian Grey.

Luke Bracey has been romantically linked to Selena Gomez, former flame of Justin Bieber. So far, fan reaction to Bracey's name being through into the casting mix has been polarized: